Chapter 310: Whispers of the Imperial Court

[A few days ago, the Empress of the Imperial City invited you to a banquet in the Imperial City, introducing you to her parents. But the Eldest Princess and her personal assassin were there too.]

[The Eldest Princess, still jealous from past events, heard her sister might have feelings for you and grew furious. At the grand feast, she publicly declared war on her sister, boldly offering her first kiss to undermine the Empress’s interest, leaving everyone stunned.]

[Yet the Empress, as ruler of the nation, wouldn’t let her sister—one who hadn’t fully secured their ancestors’ legacy—defeat her. So at the banquet, she kissed you right there in front of everyone. The sisters’ clash turned brutal, shocking the crowd even more.]

[Through it all, you gained two boosts from the Imperial City’s bloodline—kisses infused with spiritual energy. Your spiritual energy surged dramatically.]

Lin Zheng Ran: “.”

[A few days later, Lin’s mother ventured to the Imperial City alone because the Lin family needed new financial opportunities. She heard the city was thriving, with strong national power and peaceful citizens.]

[The Empress, who had fallen for you, learned that your mother had arrived and welcomed her with nervous respect.]

[From the Empress, Lin’s mother discovered how you saved the Imperial City by defeating the Demon Clan army. She also learned the Empress was now yours in spirit, with the entire city subtly honoring you. Shocked, she hurried back to tell her husband, who was equally amazed.]

[Though the family had no treasures left to give you, your parents are your core bloodline source. Their astonishment boosted their spiritual energy, strengthening the family flame. In turn, you fed off that, gaining a massive influx of spiritual power.]

[From these events, you gained two levels in spiritual energy and one in stamina.]

[With all stats maxed, your inner base values rose further.]

[Your current spiritual energy level is seventy-five.]

[Stamina is now fully maxed.]

Lin Zheng Ran listened to the system chatter on in the car for a while.

After over a decade, all four stats were finally maxed out.

To evolve stamina into a new attribute, based on past experience, he’d need to hit level eighty.

It wouldn’t be long though. Since signing the contract with Jingshi, his cultivation progress had sped up. Levels got tougher as they climbed, but with her, he’d leveled up several times in just days. Clearly, company matters were keeping things lively.

“Heqing, is it just me, or has your skin gotten amazing since I last saw you?”

In the back seat of the car heading to school, the three little ones sat side by side while Lin Zheng Ran rode shotgun, tuning into their chat.

Lily held up a small mirror, puzzled by the changes.

Heqing said innocently, “Skin gotten better?”

Lily nodded. “Yeah.” She touched Heqing’s smooth cheek, pressing it gently—it felt like jelly, soft and glowing.

“See? It’s like touching jelly—flawless and radiant. Your skin was always nice, but now it’s on another level, so much smoother and vibrant.”

Heqing blushed at the compliments and glanced at Lily.

“Really? Your skin looks better too, Lily. I remember that little spot on your forehead, but it’s gone now.”

Lily sighed. “Heqing, that was ages ago. The spot vanished long back.”

“Oh?!” she replied, flustered but sincere. “Well, it really does look great now!”

Lily checked her own face in the mirror, still confused.

“Okay, I guess I’ve felt the same lately. Ever since our trip to Lin Mountain, my skin’s been smoother, no breakouts, and I feel more energized.”

She then eyed Han Wenwen, watching for changes in the little fox.

Han Wenwen covered her face and smiled.

“Me too.”

Lily nodded. “True, your skin’s improved as well. But you don’t seem surprised at all, Han Wenwen. Did you know this would happen?”

Han Wenwen forced a grin; she’d only suspected before.

But after that afternoon in the car with Brother Zheng Ran on Lin Mountain, clinging to him in every way…

Over the following days, she’d noticed her skin getting better by the hour—smoother, more radiant.

Now she was sure: Brother Zheng Ran was like a tonic for girls. Being close to him didn’t just improve skin; it made everything better—eating, sleeping, all of it!

She craved more.

Han Wenwen: “Not at all, I’m surprised too.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Really? Last time your skin changed, you were shocked out of your mind. This is different.”

Han Wenwen blinked innocently. “That was right after Lin Mountain. I’ve had time to get over it at home.”

Heqing chimed in cutely, “Maybe it’s from the hot springs? I saw in travel ads that they beautify and detox the body.”

Lily struck a detective pose, one arm across her chest and the other on her chin.

“That could be part of it, but not all. If one soak did this much, do you think tickets would be so cheap?”

Heqing faltered. “Lily, that sounds shady, like you’re biased.”

“It’s just facts,” Lily insisted, clenching her fist. “Would capitalists let something this effective be affordable? Hot springs are cheap, but cosmetics cost a fortune—and this works better than my mom’s pricey stuff!”

She frowned. “Plus, I’ve had people compliment my skin lately, so I looked it up. Most folks say hot springs don’t change much. Why are we the exception?”

Heqing echoed, “We three?”

Suddenly, the three little ones turned to Lin Zheng Ran in the passenger seat.

Lin Zheng Ran sweated a bit. “You three at it again? Why stare at me?”

Lily leaned close to his face, blushing slightly as she examined him. “Zheng Ran, you look the same as before—no real difference.”

Heqing added, “That’s because your skin’s always been perfect. Even in middle school, you never got acne like everyone else.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “.”

Heqing teased, “Maybe we got your good skin genes somehow?”

Lily suddenly tensed, a spark hitting her mind. “Genes? Genes…”

The word made her feel like the truth was just out of reach. She glanced meaningfully at Han Wenwen, who had been quiet today.

“If it’s the hot springs, why did you improve first, Han Wenwen? Even before us.”

Heqing nodded. “Yeah, you were so shocked the first time—it blew Lily and me away. That was before Lin Mountain.”

Han Wenwen blinked again.

She thought, say too much and they’d guess about her secret dash—and since Brother Zheng Ran’s first time went to Heqing, they’d figure out how she got her boost.

“It’s pretty mysterious, huh?”

Lily narrowed her eyes, watching the fox closely.

Han Wenwen kept smiling.

Lin Zheng Ran gazed out the window as the car slowed at an intersection. “Enough with the guesses—we’re here! Qingbei University!”